Don't get violent, Anna tells supporters

Social activist Anna Hazare, who has been fasting since the past eight days in support of a strong Lokpal Bill, today urged his supporters not to resort to violence. Team Anna not ready for amendment in Jan Lokpal Bill

Social activist Anna Hazare, who has been fasting since the past eight days in support of a strong Lokpal Bill, on Tuesday urged his supporters not to resort to violence.

Supporters-of-Anna-Hazare-wave-national-flags-and-shout-slogans-at-the-fast-venue-in-New-Delhi

"Do not take to violence. If you do, the government will crush you. The government is very powerful," Hazare told a large crowd at the Ramlila ground in New Delhi.

Non-violence, he said, "is a very powerful weapon".

"This is the reason the government has not been able to crush us so far," he said. Video

Hazare also urged the crowds gathered at the ground to picket homes of MPs if the Jan Lokpal Bill drafted by the section of civil society he heads is not passed by Parliament by Aug 30.